16Hit1600
Standard English ConventionsMediumConsistent verb tense in a description

Standard English Conventions practice question

Every morning the baker unlocks the shop at five, ____ the ovens, and scores the loaves that have proofed overnight.

Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?

  1. A. lightsCorrect
  2. B. lit
  3. C. will light
  4. D. lighting

Answer: A. lights

The series is in the present: 'unlocks, lights, and scores'.

Why the other answers are wrong

B. lit
'Lit' is past tense, breaking the series.
C. will light
'Will light' is future.
D. lighting
'Lighting' is not a finite verb, so it can't be one of the three actions.

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